Dungannon is the primary commercial centre serving the Borough. It has a developed town centre with a significant concentration of retail, service and other business uses. The main shopping area stretches from Market Square through Scotch Street and the Scotch Street Centre. It is complemented by the shopping facilities on Irish Street, Church Street and Thomas Street, and the superstore at Beech Valley. The town also benefits from a District Shopping Centre at Oaks Road that provides a range of convenience shopping outlets together with some retail warehousing and a multiplex cinema. A factory outlet centre has been developed at Moygashel, reflecting the town’s traditional links with the linen and textile industry.

Dungannon is also the Borough’s administrative and financial centre. Within the town centre’s principal shopping area, there is a number of banks, building societies and other financial services operating from ground floor premises. There is also a number of other offices operating from small premises often above existing shops. The Borough Council Offices are located within the town centre, as are other government offices. Over the Plan period, it is anticipated that there is scope for increased employment opportunities within the service sector and potential exists for further commercial development.

Coalisland and the villages of Fivemiletown, Aughnacloy, and Ballygawley provide important commercial focal points for their extensive rural hinterlands. There is also a substantial number of shopping areas and isolated shops located in the other villages and wider rural area of the Borough.

Regional Policy Context

The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) emphasises the need to sustain attractive, vibrant town centres that perform a multi-functional role as prime locations for retail, services, administrative, leisure and cultural facilities. Dungannon is identified as a main hub, which has an important role to play in the life and economy of Rural Northern Ireland.

The RDS aims to:

support the network of service centres based on main towns, small towns and villages in Rural Northern Ireland.

Within the town centres, favourable consideration will normally be given to appropriate development proposals that are in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy, and the policies, requirements and guidance contained in the Part 3 of the Plan.

Dungannon town centre provides the most convenient and attractive location for a range of retailing, commercial and other facilities within the Borough. The Department considers that it is important to promote this location as the main focus for new retail and other commercial development in the town for the benefit of the community at large. A town centre is designated in Coalisland, in order to provide commercial development opportunities in keeping with the scale, character and size of the town. Within the town centres, the provisions of PPS 5: Retailing and Town Centres currently apply. The town centres are identified on the Dungannon and Coalisland Town Centre Maps, Nos. 61b and 62b respectively.

Plan Policy RSO 2 Primary Retail Core

A Primary Retail Core is designated within Dungannon town centre, in the area of Market Square and Scotch Street.

Within the Primary Retail Core, development proposals for non-retail uses will be controlled in accordance with the provisions of prevailing regional planning policy.

The Primary Retail Core consists of the town centre’s main shopping attractions. These include a supermarket and a wide variety of smaller convenience and comparison goods shops. There is also a healthy mix of professional and financial services, such as banks and building societies, which are complemented by a number of restaurants, cafes and public houses. This part of the town centre also hosts a Thursday street market and is within easy access of the town centre car parks.

In order to ensure that the town centre remains attractive and convenient to shoppers, it is important to maintain a compact and easily accessible retail core. Current policy for the control of non-retail uses within the Primary Retail Core is contained in PPS 5: Retailing and Town Centres. The Primary Retail Core is defined on the Dungannon Town Centre Map No. 61b.

Plan Policy RSO 3 Development Opportunity Sites

Development Opportunity Sites are designated within Dungannon and coalisland town centres.

Within these areas, favourable consideration will normally be given to proposals for mixed use, housing and/or commercial development. Other uses will be considered on their merits. In all cases, proposals should be in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy, key site requirements and guidance contained in Part 3 of the Plan.

Development Opportunity Sites are designated in order to promote the vitality and viability of the town centres and provide opportunities for growth. These comprise a mixture of under-utilised and vacant sites, with most being considered particularly suited to mixed-use development.

The Development Opportunity Sites are identified on the Dungannon and Coalisland Town Centre Maps, Nos. 61b and 62b respectively.

Plan Policy RSO 4 District Shopping Centre

A District Shopping Centre is designated at Oaks Road, Dungannon. Development proposals will be determined in accordance with the provisions of prevailing regional planning policy.

The Oaks Road shopping centre provides a range of shops including convenience and comparison goods, as well as a multiplex cinema. The Department wishes to ensure that future development is controlled within the provisions of prevailing regional planning policy and that any future development does not have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Dungannon town centre.

Plan Policy RSO 5 Local Shops

Proposals for local shops will be determined in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy. The provision of local shops within those areas zoned for housing in Part 3 of the Plan will need to demonstrate that the siting and design of the shopping forms an integral part of the overall housing layout.

The Department has sought to ensure that all housing zonings in Dungannon and Coalisland are reasonably accessible to the town centres, which provide a full range of shops. Within some housing areas there may be potential to provide a shop to serve the local population. On zoned housing land, where developers can demonstrate that a shop is required and is in accordance with regional policy, the Department considers that it should be provided as part of the overall comprehensive development of the site.